Gambian Welfare Society Leeds: A Cultural Celebration with Purpose

This past weekend, the Gambian Welfare Society Leeds proudly hosted a vibrant Cultural Weekend Fundraiser, uniting communities across Leeds in celebration, solidarity, and shared purpose.

Our goal? To raise vital funds for our charity programmes supporting all communities in the city and we’re delighted to say it was a resounding success!

We were honoured to be joined by none other than Jaliba Kuyateh, The Gambia’s iconic “King of Kora”, a true cultural ambassador, and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Jaliba flew in from The Gambia to support our charity event and he did so by performing entirely free of charge. His timeless music brought joy, reflection, and deep cultural connection to everyone in attendance. ✨🎶

A Historic Civic Reception

In a beautiful show of unity and appreciation, Jaliba Kuyateh was officially welcomed by the Lord Mayor of Leeds in his office at the Civic Hall. In a heartfelt ceremony, the Lord Mayor presented Jaliba with the Leeds Shield a powerful symbol of the city’s commitment to diversity, cultural exchange, and international friendship. 🌐🤝

During the meeting, our Chairman Yanks Sawo delivered this message:

“Mr. Kuyateh’s presence here in Leeds is a powerful reminder of the ties that bind us across nations, cultures, and humanity. His music is not just entertainment, it’s a message of peace, education, and community development.”

We extend our deepest gratitude to His Worship the Lord Mayor of Leeds for this warm civic reception, and to everyone who supported and attended the cultural weekend.

This event proved once again that Leeds is a city that celebrates diversity, inclusion, and unity, and that together, we can achieve meaningful change across communities and across borders.